Retinitis pigmentosa

Alternative names:

night blindness - disease

Definition:

A progressive degeneration of the retina that affects night vision and peripheral vision

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of this disorder is unknown, but it may be an inherited disorder. The cells controlling night vision, called rods, are primarily affected. Dark pigmentation may be present on the retina. As the disease progresses, peripheral vision is lost as well and may lead to blindness. Signs and symptoms often first appear in childhood, but visual incapacity does not develop until early adulthood. The risk factors are a family history of retinitis pigmentosa. It is a rare condition.